Interview: Glenn Close

TORONTO — In “Albert Nobbs,” Glenn Close plays a 19th-century woman who, having fallen on hard times, poses as a man to get work as a butler. The character lives for over 20 years in that guise with nobody knowing her secret, until she comes in contact with a painter at the hotel where she works who might have a secret of his own.

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Ms. Close has been connected to the character since she played it in its theatrical version in 1982. She picked up the rights to it, co-wrote the screenplay and is now finally bringing a screen version to life, with direction by Rodrigo Garcia.

The actress spoke about the specifics of the character and discussed some of her techniques for believably passing for a man onscreen.